Microbial exopolysaccharide

Abstract

A novel microorganism producing a nontoxic, non-antigenic exopolysaccharide is taught. The exopolysaccharide has neutral sugars migrating at the same rate as mannose, fucose, fructose and galactose, acidic sugars migrating at the same rate as fucose and amine sugars migrating at the same rate as glucose and fucose, and wherein the ratio of galactose:fucose:glucose:mannose is about 1:2:3:6. The microbe and the exopolysaccharide have uses as a biofilm in geologic applications and have several consumer uses as food and drug polymers and use as a plasma extender.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated exopolysaccharide that consists of 
 (a) neutral sugars migrating at the same rate as mannose, fucose, fructose and galactose,    (b) acidic sugars migrating at the same rate as fucose, and    (c) amine sugars migrating at the same rate as glucose and fucose,    wherein the sugar ratio of sugars migrating as galactose:fucose:glucose:mannose is about 1:2:3:6.    
     
     
         2 . The exopolysaccharide of  claim 1  which is that produced by ATCC No. PTA-2500.  
     
     
         3 . The exopolysaccharide of  claim 1  which is in purified form.  
     
     
         4 . A nutrient for plant or animal growth, which comprises the exopolysaccharide of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . A plasma expander comprising the exopolysaccharide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . The plasma expander of  claim 5 , wherein the exopolysaccharide is produced by ATCC No. PTA-2500.  
     
     
         7 . The plasma expander of  claim 5 , which further comprises sodium ion at 100 to 120 mEq/1, calcium ion at about 5 mEq/1, potassium ion at 0 to 3 mEq/1, and magnesium ion at 0 to 0.9 mEq/1.  
     
     
         8 . The plasma expander of  claim 5 , which further comprises at least one buffer and a nutrient, and a nutrient.  
     
     
         9 . The plasma expander of  claim 8  which further comprises vitamin K.  
     
     
         10 . The plasma expander of  claim 8  which further comprises human serum albumin.